How Can I Find Out What Information The Home Office Holds About Me?

The Home Office keeps various pieces of data on individuals with respect to their UK immigration history, entry and exits from the UK, visa and nationality applications, and supporting documents, to name a few.

Individuals may have the right to access this Home Office data by way of making a so-called Subject Access Request (SAR). There are three types of request that can be made, all of which are free of charge:

• Basic: includes an electronic summary of the requestor’s immigration history, landing cards held electronically, visa applications submitted outside of the UK, Workers Registration Scheme information for relevant nationalities, and entry and exit into and out of the UK for the last 5 years.
• Specific: this allows a request of copies of up to 5 single documents, for example, a list of visa applications, a particular decision letter, the outcome of an appeal, a particular detention progress report, a deportation order, a particular interview record, etc.
• Detailed: this requests a copy of the person’s Home Office paper file. An electronic summary of the immigration information will be provided first. However, this option allows the person to request further information from the paper file if the electronic data does not provide the information sought.

Ideally, the Home Office requests that SARs are made via their online application form, as they feel they can process the request more quickly that way. However, other modes of application are also accepted.

The application should include a copy of the person’s passport and a letter of permission allowing the Home Office to send the information to the requestor’s contact details. Depending on the request, there may be other documents that will be required.

The Home Office should reply to the request within a month from the date the SAR and supporting documents have been received.

At Gherson, we have seasoned professionals who can assist with SARs, especially if you encounter issues with providing documents requested or receiving a response. If you require assistance with a SAR please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication, it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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